News & Events

Students studying Product Design AS and A Level at Tavistock College enjoyed a visit to Exeter university this term to investigate the emerging technology of 3D printing.

The event was part of a UK Research Council project called ‘Empowering Partnerships, Enabling Engagement’. ‘CALM’ is home to some of the worlds most advanced laser sintering technologies where the boundaries of 3D printing are being pushed with all kinds of exciting applications. Students learnt all about this incredible new technology, and investigated all kinds of samples ranging from 3D printed vertebrae to chain mail cloth printed all in one piece. The development of these materials and applications are happening at such an incredible rate that the horizons for the future of the technology change on a week by week basis.

Students were also given an extensive look at the materials testing facility and learnt a great deal about how modern materials can be tested to breaking point and developed to suit the needs of a particular application. Silvia Berretta, a PhD student who hosted us, commented:

‘It is very inspiring to help the next generation of young engineers.’

We spent the afternoon learning to use some incredible Computer Aided Design software that allows students to apply forces to their virtual model and see how a range of materials would respond to these pressures. AS student Will Dax commented, ‘Exeter University showed me a whole new side of product design, including some really interesting ways to produce products that would have been impossible with previous manufacturing processes.’ In the Technology Faculty we are building many links with industry and universities in order to give our students the best possible experience and most importantly a real word context to their studies.

27 a level geography students experienced first hand the sights, sounds and smells that the Cornish Eden Project has to offer. Including a talk from a tertiary education officer, the students learnt about the Eden effect on rural rebranding to Cornwall.

They also saw some of Santa’s reindeer and enjoyed locally produced and sourced foods over lunch. The behaviour and respect shown by the stud ents towards Eden staff and fellow visitors was again exemplary, and they were a pleasure to take on field trip.

On Friday 28th November Mrs Doyle and Mrs Blackmore took 50 year 8 pupils to Plymouth to have a fun filled session with the Plymouth Raiders team. We arrived at Pavilions and didn’t waste any time as we were straight on court for a high quality training session with the Raiders’ coaches and players. Pretty quickly we were developing our basketball skills and and getting put through our paces physically.

After the training session we went to the media room where we awaited the Raiders team. The question and answer session went far too quickly as we still had lots of questions. However, the players needed to get back on court to prepare for their game. No time to stop as 54 pizzas, 54 cookies and ice cream and 54 cans had to be handed out and then eaten before the game!!!

Back on court side to watch the very exciting and close game against Manchester Giants. The Raiders mascot Foxy kept us entertained, as did the cheerleaders – at times the teachers thought they were at a party and not a basketball game; The atmosphere was amazing. Sadly, Raiders lost the game but this was soon forgotten when we were all back on court collecting selfies and autographs.

A great time with a really great group of students!

Mrs Doyle